Automatic coating spray unit for flocking machines



Oct. 29, 1957 i w. J. FRIDERICI 2,811,130

AUTOMATIC comma SPRAY UNIT FOR FLOCKING MACHINES Filed June- 15. 1953 4She ets-Sheet 1 munmiuk Ila 135A FigJX Fi 3A Fig.5B

INVENTOR. 1.327 [335 [May/1e d Fr/iaer/c/ Fig 3E ATTORNEYS Oct. 29, 1957w. FRlDERlCl 2,811,130

AUTOMATIC COATING SPRAY UNIT FOR FLOCKING MACHINES Filed June 15, 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 2 pa 66 6a 70A Oct. 29, 1957 w. J. FRIDERIQI 2,811,130

AUTOMATIC COATING SPRAY UNIT FOR FLOCKING MACHINES Filed June 15, 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 5 L [06 5 i 4391 f K55 67 Fug; 7a

W INVENTOR. I l Vryne J Frider/c/ BY ATTORNEYS Oct. 29, 1957 w. J.FRlDERlCl 1, AUTOMATIC COATING SPRAY UNIT FOR FLOCKING MACHINES\ FilQdJune 15, 1953 4 Sheets-Shea? 4 Figs. 7b

INV'ENTORQ Wayne L! Frider/b/ BY /%@a, 242 fia/M a! 49%,

ATTOR/VL'YS United States Patent AUTOMATIC COATING SPRAY UNIT FORFLOCKING MACHINES Wayne J. Friderici, Port Clinton, Ohio, assignor toThe Standard Products Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of OhioApplication June 15, 1953, Serial No. 361,726

19 Claims. (Cl. 118-2) This invention relates to improvements in timingmeans and more particularly to the timing means in an apparatus forprocessing articles.

One of the objects of the present invention is toprovide an apparatusfor processing articles moving along a predetermined path at a pluralityof stations along this path with control means for controlling theprocessing of each article at each station.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forprocessing characterized by its automatic operation, its operatingefliciency and'its structural simplicity.

Other featuresof this invention-reside in the arrangement and design ofthe parts for carrying out theirappropriate functions.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and description and the essential features will beset forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatusof the presentinvention used in a flocking machine;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1through a control box housing a portion of the starting and stoppingcircuits and the nozzle control circuits;

Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3X are vertical sectional views throughthe control box along the respective similarly designated section linesin Fig. 2 showing the cam positions before counterclockwise rotation isbegun;

Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E are vertical sectional views takenrespectively along the correspondingly numbered section lines in Fig. 1with each of the Figs. 4A to 4E portraying one of the processing orspraying stations in the spray unit in the flocking machine of Fig. 1;

Fig.5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spray nozzle with the partstherein in the shut off or non-spraying position;

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse view, partially in-section and lookingtoward the left in Fig. l, of the photoelectric cell and its. protectivehood.

Fig. 7a is the left half of the electrical diagram of this apparatusincluding the common master control circuit on the left and includingstarting and stopping control circuits on the right; while Fig. 7b isthe righthalf of the electrical diagram with common connections on theleft to be interconnected with those on the right in Fig. 7a and withFig. 7b having the individual nozzle control circuits with the switchcontact positions corresponding to the switch actuator cam positions inFigs. 3A to 3E inclusive before rotation of the cam shaft in Figs. 3Ato' 3E has begun.

Before the apparatus for processing articles here illustrated isspecifically described, it is to be understood that the invention hereinvolvedis notlirnited to-structural details or arrangement of partshere shown since the vapparatus embodying the present invention may takePatented Oct. 29, 1957 various forms. -It also is to be understood thatthe phraseology or terminology herein employed is for pur poses ofdescription and not of limitation since the scope of the presentinvention is denoted by the appended claims.

Those familiarwith this art will recognize that this invention may beapplied in many ways, but ithas been chosen to illustrate the same inconnection with a flocking machine.

Fig. 1 is-a side elevational view of this flocking machine having anendless conveyor-belt ldrivenrbyaconveyor .drive pulley 7 for movingarticles 2 in procession along a path through the flocking machine. Thearticles 2 first pass through a glue or adhesive spray unit 3 having aplurality of spraying stations along the belt 1 so that all or anypredetermined portion of the articleto be flocked is covered with glueor adhesive. Then, each article is passed in succession-into theflocking machine 4 which can be of any conventional type, such as thatflocking machine disclosed in my copending U. S. patent applicaas shownin the views of the five processing stations in Figs. 4A to 4Einclusive. Views at or reference numerals on corresponding parts at eachstation are identical except for the sutfix A, B, C, D, or Ecorresponding to the station involved. The flocking machine has twoparallel frame members 6, 6 straddling the endless conveyor belt 1 andarticle .2thereon in Figs. 4A to 4E inclusive. A glue nozzles supportunit8 is provided comprising four vertical barsSa with each having abentin lower end secured to one of said frame members 6. A pair of the bars8a are located on each side of conveyor belt 1 and each pair is joinedtogether atupper ends by one of the two parallel longitudinalnbars'sbwhile cross bars A, 80B, 80C, 80D and =8cE, equal in number to saidstations with one located .at each-station, are each secured at oppositeends to the longitudinal bars 8b, Sb so as to bridge across the path ofconveyor travel and serve along with supporting bars Sa'and 8b as aplurality of supports with one for each glue nozzle. At each station, aglue spray nozzle is secured at the bottom of a support rod with saidsupport rod secured to one of said cross bars; this construction at thefirst station in Fig. 4A comprises nozzle 5A, support rod 10A and crossbar 8cA. Adjustable and pivotal clamps are secured at each stationbetweenthe support rod thereat and its cross bar and between saidsupport rod and its glue nozzle so that each nozzle can be directedwithinthe gluespray unit 3 toward the path of travel of article 2, asshown in Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E.

Since it is important to get the adhesive or glue over the entiresurface of the article 2 and into the crevicestherein for satisfactoryflocking, each spray nozzle is directed approximately laterally towardthe path of travel of article 2 but at an angle different from the othernozzles for completely covering the article 2 with the glue spray, asshown'by the different spray angles at the different spray fere with theeffectiveness of the spray from any of the a other nozzles. Each gluenozzle sprays only while an article 2 is passing through its spraystream but sprays continually during the passing of the entire length ofeach article, as will be brought out in more detail hereinafter.

Since all of the glue spray nozzles are identical, only the glue spraynozzle 5A at the first station will be described, and this nozzle isshown in more detail in the longitudinal sectional view Fig. 5 where itis shown in its shut off or non-spraying position. This nozzle includesa control therefor in the form of an operating air valve 13A in the airflow line from a high pressure air source through air line 1311A, valve13A and airline 13cA to the principal part of the nozzle. The valve 13Ain Fig. 5 is in its normal or off position so that no spraying occurssince valve plunger 13dA blocks air flow between lines 13aA and 130A.The plunger 13dA is spring biased upwardly against a stop in the valvehousing since valve operating solenoid coil 12A is deenergized. Air line130A is connected to exhaust port 13bA by the passageway in plunger 13dAfor exhaust of the air line 130A and the spray control cylinder (asdescribed hereinafter) connected therewith. Energizing of solenoid coil12A pulls plunger 13dA downwardly to connect air lines 13aA and 130A foractuating the spray nozzle while covering exhaust port 1312A.

The nozzle will spray when solenoid coil 12A is energized so that highpressure actuating air will flow thereto through air line 130A. Thisactuating air moves the pisston 15A to the right in the spray controlcylinder against the bias of spring 16A to correspondingly move couplinglsaA and valve actuating arm 1512A formed integral with said piston.This movement to the right first causes arm 15bA to open spring loaded,normally closed, atomizing air valve 20A to admit low pressure atomizingair through air inlet port BA from an air pressure source. Opening valve20A causes atomizing air to emerge from the plurality of atomizing airoutlet ports 21A around the spray orifice 24A to draw glue therefrom andspray it to the left as soon as needle 17A is withdrawn from orifice 24Abut needle 17A remains seated in orifice 24A until further movement ofpiston 15A to the right occurs. Control valve 22A regulates thepercentage of air emerging from each ring of outlet ports 21A. Themovement to the right next causes coupling 15aA to engage and pull tothe right plunger 1711A secured to needle 17A to withdraw the needle 17Afrom the spray orifice 24A so that glue will be sucked in from itssource through glue inlet port 23A and sprayed outwardly to the leftthrough spray orifice 24A by the atomizing action of the air emergingfrom ports 21A.

When the coupling l5aA is not pulling plunger 1712A to the right, spring18A will normally force needle 17A to the left with sufficient force topierce any glue seal formed across spray orifice 24A when the spray iscut off and to seat it therein to cut off glue flow. It should be notedthat the lost motion in coupling 15aA and plunger 17aA causes atomizingair to emerge from ports 21A during a period prior to the withdrawal ofneedle 17A from spray orifice 24A, during the entire period ofWithdrawal, and during a period after the reinsertion of needle 17A intothe orifice 24A.

When solenoid 12A is deenergized the parts assume the Fig. 5 positionwith actuating air flow from line 13aA cut off, air line 13cA andexhaust port 13bA connected, spring 16A pushing piston 15A of the spraycontrol cylinder to the left so that the cylinder portion to the left ofpiston 15A is exhausted through exhaust port 13bA, coupling 15aA nolonger pulling needle 17A to the right so that spring 18A forces needle17A to the left into spray orifice 24A, and arm 15bA moving to the Fig.5 position after needle 17A is seated in orifice 24A so that atomizingair valve 20A closes.

A control box 27 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for synchronizing thespraying of the successive articles 2 passing through the machine withthe travel of these articles past the glue nozzles at the differentprocessing stations. The sprocket chain 28 in Fig. l drivingly connectsa sprocket wheel 29 secured to and positively driven by the conveyordrive pulley 7 with a sprocket Wheel 30 secured to and driving a shaft31 extending into the control box 27 in Fig. 2. This shaft 31 has a gear32 secured thereto for driving gears 33, 33, 34, and 34, either directlyor through idler gears 35, 35. Each gear is secured to a shaft that issuitably journaled in the walls of control box 27. Gears 33, 33', 34 and34' are drivingly connected with the driving member in respectiveelectromagnetic actuated clutches 36, 36', 37 and 37 with the clutchesrespectively having their driven memers connected to shafts 38, 38, 39and 39. These shafts contain the cams for controllnig the starting andstopping of the spray of each glue nozzle by energizing or deenergizingthrough a nozzle control circuit the appropriate glue nozzle solenoidcoil, such as solenoid coil 12A, as will be brought out in more detailhereinafter.

The automatic operation of the apparatus will first be described ingeneral. The apparatus has two control means for controlling the sprayof the successive articles 2 passing through the glue spray unit 3 withthe first control means controlling the spraying of the alternate orodd-numbered (first, third, fifth, etc.) articles passing from left toright in Fig. 1, while the second control means controls the spraying ofthe even-numbered (second, fourth, etc.) articles.

As the first article 2 is carried toward the right in Fig. l by theconveyor belt 1, its leading edge intercepts a light beam directed atthe photoelectric cell PEC, located adjacent the path of article traveland on the article approach side of the glue spray unit 3, in the commonmaster control circuit which in turn energizes the electromagneticstarting clutch 36 in Figs. 2 and 7a in the proper starting circuit forstarting the rotation of shaft 38 in Fig. 2 with the cams thereon, asshown in Figs. 3A to 3E, for synchronously driving them with theconveyor belt 1 carrying the first article 2. These cams provide propertime delay in the nozzle control circuits so that each nozzle startsspraying when the leading edge of the first article is in position tointercept its spray stream. It should be noted that the actuatingnotches in the cams in Figs. 3A to 3E are out of phase with each otherto provide the proper time delay for starting the spray of the nozzle ateach station at the proper instant since each nozzle is a differentdistance to the right of photoelectric cell PEC in Fig. 1. As thetrailing edge of the first article 2 goes by the photoelectric cell PEC,the light beam again hits the photoelectric cell PEC of the commonmaster control circuit to energize the stopping electromagnetic clutch36' in the stopping circuit of the first control means. This clutch thendrives the shaft 38 in Fig. 2 with corresponding cams for actuating thenozzle control circuits with a proper time delay so that each nozzle inturn stops spraying when the trailing edge of the first article 2intercepts its spray stream.

The second control means operates in a similar manner to energize thestarting clutch 37 and the stopping clutch 37 in Fig. 2. The secondcontrol means is necessary since the spraying of the first article isnot completed before the leading edge of the second article interceptsthe light path of the photoelectric cell PEC. It will be noted as thedescription proceeds that the first and second control means operateindependently of each other, and also clutches 36, 36', 37 and 37operate independently of each other so that each spray nozzle sprays thefull length of each article passing by.

In other words, the control to be described in more detail hereinafterincludes four difierent kinds of time delay means for starting orstopping spraying of each nozzle .at the proper instant. Each time delaymeans includes the common master control circuit with the photoelectriccell PEC; a starting or a stopping circuit with clutch 36, 36', 37 or37; and the nozzle control circuits actuated by the cams of theparticular-starting or stopping circuit that are driven by thelast-mentioned clutch.

The electrical circuits will now be described in more detail. The commonmaster control circuit covers the left half of Fig. 7a, the starting andstopping circuits cover the right half of Fig. 7a, and the nozzlecontrol circuits are shown in Fig. 7b.

All of the circuits obtain their power through power lines L1 and L2shown at the lower left in Fig. 7a connected to a 115 volt A. C. powersource or any other suitable power source including a D. C. source afterappropriate changes have been made. A main switch 43 must be closedbefore the circuit can be energized.

Common master contr l circuit The master control circuit in the lefthalf of Fig. 7a will be first described. This master control circuitcauses the energization of the starting circuits with clutches 36 and 37in Fig. 2 and at the right end of Fig. 7a as well as stopping circuitswith clutches 36' and 37'. Alternating light and dark conditions on thephotoelectric cell PEC will cause energization in the followingsequence: starting clutches 36, stopping clutch 36, starting clutch 37,and stopping clutch 37.

In the master control circuit, power is provided to a photoelectric cellunit PE at the upper left in Fig. 7a by a circuit formed through lineL1, closed switch 43, line 45, photoelectric cell unit PE, line 46 andline L2. The photoelectric cell unit PE includes the photoelectric cellPEC and a relay actuated by the cell shown as relay PER with the circuittherebetween of any conventionally designed photoelectric cell circuitthat is provided within the unit PE.

Power is provided to a time delay unit to prevent actuation of theremainder of the common master control circuit, the starting andstopping circuits, and the nozzle control circuits until the circuit inthe photoelectric cell unit PE is properly heated up. This time delay isgenerally approximately one minute. The specific timed delay unit in thepresent disclosure has a circuit formed by line L1, closed switch 43,line 48, line 49, relay coil R50, line 55, and line L2. Relay coil R50and its normally open relay contacts Rifle, R50d and R502 have a dashpotR50T or equivalent mechanical time delay unit connected therewith. Then,the normally open relay contacts R500, R50d and R502 will remain openuntil after relay coil R50 has been energized for a time period equal tothe desired time delay so that relay contacts RStlc and R50d will notclose to supply power to the balance of the common master controlcircuit and relay contact R50e will not close to supply power to theindividual nozzle control circuits in Fig. 7b (as will be brought out inmore detail hereinafter) until after the photoelectric cell unit PE isproperly heated up by the elapse of the time delay period.

The glue sprayed by nozzles 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E may prevent properoperation of photoelectric cell PEC if proper precautions are not takensince a coating of glue either on the light source or on the lens systemof the photoelectric cell PEC will prevent adequate light transmission.Fig. 6 discloses a protecting cylindrical hood 61 secured to thephotoelectric cell PEC and projecting forwardly to the right from itslight receiving lens system. An air line 63 from an air or gas pressuresource is secured thereto so that air rushing in the direction of thearrows through hood 61 away from the photoelectric cell PEC will preventthe glue vapor from entering hood 61 and from coating the lens system. Asimilar hood and air line may be used on the light source, if desired.

The photoelectric cell PEC in Figs. 1 and 7a detects or is responsive tothe presence or absence of an article 2 at this sensing station. Beforean article 2, being carried toward the right in Fig. 1, reaches thephoto- .electric cell PEC, the light beam strikes the cell creating whatwill hereinafter be referred to a light condition. As the leading edgeof the article cuts the light beam, the light striking the photoelectriccell is cut that relay contact PERb is normally closed. When the lightcondition exists, the relay coil PER is energized to close the relaycontact. 7

it should be understood, however, that'other means for-sensing theabsence or'presence of an article could be used. For example,a-mechanical finger in the path of .travel could open and close thecircuit switch instead of the photoelectric cell.

D. C. power instead of A. C. is supplied to the balance of the maincontrol circuit and to the :starting and stopping circuits from the A.C. source connected to lines L1 and L2. The voltage of the A. C. sourceis step-down to .the proper voltage for the control circuits .by acircuit formed by line L1, closed switch 43, line 65, .a primary windingof the stepped down transformer 66, line 67, andline L2. The A. C.current is changed to D. C. by a .circuit formed from the secondary ofthe step-down A. C. transformer 66 to a rectifier 68. The rectifier 68provides D. C. current at the proper control voltage from on one sidethe ground and line 6B to on the other side the power line 70'from whichthe balance of the main control circuit and the starting and stoppingcircuits will receive their D. C. power. .Of

course, it should be readily apparent that if a source of D. C. currentis available at the proper voltage, the step-down transformer andrectifier wouldnot be necessary.

Before the operation of the common master control circuit is describedin detail, two components of this circuit will be described first. Thereare provided time delay relay coils R76 and R83 with each having itscoil core equipped with a copper slug or surrounding ring or otherequivalent structure so that a .05 second time delay takes place betweenthe energization of the time delay relay coil R76 or R83 and the openingof the normally closed respective relay contact R76a or R8311.

The common master control circuit [also includes two flip flop orimpulse relays with their coils shown at FR79 and FRSG. Each impulserelay has four contacts, for example the impulse relay coil FR79 hasrelay contacts FR79a, FR79b, FR79c, and FR79d, connected by the dottedline in Fig. 7a. Each successive energization of the impulse relay coilFR79 moves the contact closing member to alternate positions so that apair of contacts is energized in each position. Hence, for example, thefirst energization of the impulse relay coil FR79 will close the relaycontacts FR79b and FR79d, the second energization will close relaycontacts FR79a and FR79c, the third energization will again close relaycontact FR79b and FR79d, etc. Closing relay contact FR80d energizes thestarting circuit and the electromagnetic clutch 36 therein, closingrelay contact FR79c energizes the stopping circuit and the clutch 36'therein of the first control means while closing relay contacts FR80cand FR79d energize for starting and stopping in corresponding manner theclutches 37 and 37 respectively of the second control means.

Although the leading and trailing edges of each article are describedherein as the photoelectric cell actuating portions, it should beclearly understood that the beginning and end of any other predeterminedportion on each article may be used as well.

Before the first article 2 intercepts the light beam to thephotoelectric cell PEC, the impulse relay contacts FR79d and FR80c arenormally "closed, as shown in Fig. 7a. The photoelectric cell PEC inlight condition with the photoelectric cell relay contact PERa closed.As the leading edge of the first article 2 breaks the light beam to thephotoelectric cell PEC, the photoelectric cell PEC is changed to a darkcondition to provide the initial respouse for actuating the controlcircuits. When the dark condition occurs, the photoelectric cell relaycoil PER is dc-energized so that normally closed relay contact PERI;closes, :as shown in Fig. 7a, to form a circuit from power line 70through line 74, closed relay contact PERI), line 75, normally closedrelay contact R76a, line 77, previously closed relay contact R500, line78, closed relay contact FR79b, line 86, closed relay contact FRSfia.impulse or flip flop relay coil FR80 to the ground and back to the powerline 70. The impulse relay coil FR80 then moves its contact closingstructure so that relay contacts FR80b and FR80d are closed instead ofrelay contacts FR80a and FRSOc. After the .05 second time delay haselapsed, the time delay relay coil R76 opens the normally closed contactR76a to break the circuit previously formed since only an electricalimpulse was necessary to actuate the impulse relay coil FR80. startingcircuit with the electromagnetic clutch 36 is energized since thecontact FR80a has been closed and consequently the energized clutch 36makes the shaft 38 be driven synchronously with the article conveyorbelt 1 so that the cams in Figs. 3A to SE will provide the proper timedelay for starting the spraying of each nozzle, as will be brought outin more detail hereinafter.

As the trailing edge of the first article 2 goes past the light beamdirected at the photoelectric cell PEC, the

beam is no longer interrupted and the photoelectric cell assumes thelight condition with the consequent energization of photoelectric cellrelay coil PER to close the relay contact PERa. A circuit then is formedfrom the control power line 70, line 74, closed relay contact PERrr,line 82, normally closed relay contact R8341, line 84, previously closedrelay contact R5011, line 85, impulse relay coil FR79 to the groundreturn. Then, the flip flop or impulse relay causes contacts FR79a andFR79c to close with the consequent energization of the stopping circuitand electromagnetic clutch 36 in Figs. 2 and 7a so that the shafts 38'will be driven synchronously with the conveyor belt 1 so that its camswill stop the nozzles at each of the stations with the proper time delayto assure that the first article is sprayed by each nozzle throughoutits full length. The time delay action and purpose of time delay relaycoils R83 and R76 is the same.

Although only the first control means for controlling the spraying ofthe alternate articles (first, third, fifth,

etc.) by cnergization of the starting clutch 36 and the stopping clutch36' have been described with reference to the closing of relay contactsFR8tld and FR79c, similar action takes place in the second control meansfor controlling'the spraying of the even numbered articles (second,fourth, etc.) with the closing of relay contacts FR80c and FR79dcontrolling respectively the starting circuit with clutch 37 and thestopping circuit with clutch 37 of the second control means. The actionis basically thesame except that line 87 is used in the energizingcircuit of flip flop relay coil FRSt) with the second control meanswhile line 86 is used with the first control means.

An examination of this common master control circuit will reveal thatthe following operational sequence of closing relay contacts will occurin each operating cycle with two articles moving past the photoelectriccell PEC: relay contact FR80ri, relay contact FR79c, relay contactFRSilc, and relay contact FR79d. These closing actions respectivelycorrespond with the passage of the leading edge of the first article,the trailing edge .of the first article, the leading edge of the secondarticle, and the trailing Now, the

edge of the second article 8 moving past the photoelectric cell PEC.

If for any reason, one of these contacts should be out of phase, forexample, if it is closed when it should be open, the flip flop orimpulse relay coils FR79 and FR80 will automatically reestablish thissequence of operation after only a small number of electrical impulseshave been imparted to either or both flip flop or impulse relays byclosing one or both of the photoelectric relay coil contacts PERa andPERb alternately in the normal manner.

Starting and stopping circuits It should be mentioned before explainingthe starting and stopping circuits and the individual nozzle controlcircuits that the switch actuating cams in Figs. 3A to 3X are in theiridle or starting positions before counterclockwise rotation is begun andthese positions correspond to the cam actuated switch contact positionsshown in Figs. 7a and 7b.

Each of the four starting or stopping circuits in the right half of Fig.7a is the same so only one circuit will be described, that is, thestarting circuit of the first control means with the startingelectromagnetic clutch 36. This circuit is the lower one of the fourshown in the right half of Figs. 7a. After the leading edge of the firstarticle has intercepted the light beam to photoelectric cell PEC toconsequently close the impulse or flip flop relay contact FR80d, thisstarting circuit is energized by a circuit including control power line70, line 100, line 101, closed impulse relay contact FRStld, line 102,line 112, normally closed relay contact R103a, line 105, line 106, relay:coil R107, and the ground return. Energization of relay coil R107closes the associated normally open relay contacts R107a and R1071; sothat the clutch 36 is engaged by a circuit including power line 70,closed relay contact R107b, line 109, clutch engaging coil C110 to theground return so that the clutch 36 is engaged to drivingly connect gear33 in Fig. 2 with shaft 38.

Sustaining means is provided for causing continued counterclockwiserotation of shaft 38 in Fig. 3X until one full operation has beencompleted and the nozzles at all five stations in Figs. 4A to 4E havestarted spraying even though the relay contact FR80d no longer exists.This assures that the first article will be processed or sprayed underthe control of its control means (the first control means) independentlyof the other control means for the immediately following article (thesecond control means). A maintaining circuit for keeping the clutch 36engaged includes control power line 70, closed relay contact R107a, line112, normally closed relay contact R103a, line 105, line 106, relay coilR107, and the ground return. Before shaft 38 in Fig. 2 starts to rotatecounterclockwise in Fig. 3X, the lobe on the control cam 111 in Fig. 3Xis engaged with the lever on a microsw'itch having a contact 110 so thatcontact 110 in Fig. 7a is open. However, the switch contact 110 closesafter two to three degrees of counterclockwise rotation by cam 111 toform a parallel maintaining circuit through line 113, closed switch 110,and line 114 in parallel with the closed relay contact 103a. The controlfor ale-energizing the clutch coil C110 after one full counterclockwiserevolution of shaft 38 is now given to closed switch 110 which will beopened by the lobe on cam 111 after one revolution. This control isgiven switch 110 by the opening of normally closed relay contact R1l3asoon after the switch 110 is closed by the rotation of shaft 38. Theoriginal closing of impulse or flip flop relay contact FR'8tIId alsoformed a circuit from power control line '70, line 100, "line 101,closed impulse relay contact FR80d, line 102, line 116, resistance 117,through the parallel circuits of capacitance 118 and relay coil R103 tothe common line 119 and the ground return. This R.-C. delay 'circuit isadjusted for sufficient time delay so that the relay coil R103 isenergized to open the normally closed 9 relay contact R1031: afterswitch 110 is closed by sulficient rotation of shaft 38. After impulserelay contact FRSOd is opened, this circuit receives its power frompower lines 70, maintaining circuit closed relay contact R107a, throughline 116.

Although this specific sustaining means is disclosed herein, any othercircuit and mechanical structure for performing this function can beused.

A similar flow of current takes place in the appropriate stoppingcircuit when stopping clutch 36 of the first control means is engaged aswell as when either the starting or stopping clutches 37 or 37' of thesecond control means is engaged. These starting and stopping circuits aswell as the individual nozzle control circuits to be described laterhave corresponding parts designated respectively, whenever possible byprimed 100 'series reference numerals, unprimed 200 series, and primed200 series with the same basic reference numeral in each.

Nozzle control circuits The nozzle control circuits receive their powerfor automatic operation for energizing the nozzle solenoid coils 12A,12B, 12C, 12D and 12E at the right in Fig. 7b with each coilcorresponding to the nozzle solenoid coil 12A in Fig. from a circuitincluding power line L1 ('Fig. 7a), previously closed switch 43, line48, switch 121 (manual-1y closed to start automatic operation of gluespray nozzles), line 122, previously closed relay contact R562, line 123extending from Fig. 7a to Fig. 7b, line 124 (Fig. 7b), and line 125while power line L2 in Fig. 7a is connected by lines 55 and 56 with areturn ground.

The nozzle control circuit associated with shaft 38 in Fig. 2 of thefirst spraying control means for the odd numbered articles operate onbasically the same principle as the nozzle control circuits associatedwith shafts 38', 39' and 39 so that only the nozzle control circuitsassociated with shaft 38 will be described in detail for starting thespraying at each of the five nozzle stations while the nozzle controlcircuits associated with shaft 39 will be briefly described as to theirstopping the spraying at the five stations. The spray nozzles 5A, 5B,5C, 5D and SE at the five spray or processing stationsin Figs. 4A to 4Bhave their solenoids energized for commencing the spray operation by theclosing of the respective microswitches 133A, 1333, 1330, 133D and 133Ewhen the corresponding notches 132A, 132B, 132C, 132D and 132E in therespective operating cams 131A, 131B, 131C, 131D and 131E engage therespective switch arms to open the switch contacts in turn as shaft 38is rotated counterclockwise in the direction of the arrows in Figs. 3Ato 3X inclusive. The proper time delays, corresponding to the distancesbetween the photoelectric cell BBC in Fig. l and nozzle at each of thespraying stations, correspond respectively with the arcuate distancesbetween each switch lever and its coacting cam notch for each gluenozzle in Figs. 3A to 3B inclusive since these drawing figures show theposition of each of the five process station actuating cams with respectto its associated switch at the time the clutch 36 is engaged when theleading edge of first article 2. breaks the beam to the photoelectriccell PEC. The change in light condition on the photoelectric cell PECprovides the initial response for the subsequent operation of eachnozzle in turn with the proper time delay.

Since the nozzle control circuit for each station controlled by the :camin Figs. 3A to 3E is the same, only one nozzle control circuit will bedescribed. A control circuit exists from power line 125 in Fig. 7b,closed microswitch contact 133A, line 135A, line 136A, closed switchcontact 133A when cam notch 132A engages the lever of switch 133A, line137A, relay coil R139A through the ground return. 'Solenoid coil 12A isenergized to open valve 13A to cause the other nozzle parts to assumethe spraying position when the leading edge of the first article isabout to register with the flow stream path from nozzle 5A. It "isenergized by a control circuit formed from the power line 124, closedrelay contact R139Ab, line 140A, closed switch contact 141A, nozzlesolenoid coil 12A to the ground return. The relay coil R139A is keptenergized by a maintaining circuit in parallel with the cam operatedswitch 133A that includes line A, line 143A, closed relay contactR139Aa, relay coil R139A and the ground return.

This circuit is maintained and nozzle 5A continues to spray until clutch36 is engaged when the trailing edge of the first article 2 no longerintercepts the light beam to the photoelectric cell PEC. 'Then, shaft 38begins to rotate synchronously with the travel of the conveyor belt 1 toopen the normally closed switch 133A in'Figs. 2 and 7b after the propertime delay corresponding to the arcuate length between the switch armand cam notch in Fig. 3A. Opening switch 133A opens the maintainingcircuit and de-energizes the relay coil R139A to stop the glue sprayingby the nozzle 5A as the trailing edge of the first article leaves theflow stream path of nozzle 5A. This circuit opening action de-energizessolenoid coil 14A to close valve 13A so that the nozzle parts assume theFig. 5 position to stop the nozzle spraying with the piercing needle 17Amoving to the left into the spraying orifice 24a to be sure no glue sealforms therein while the spray is cut off.

It should be apparent that nozzle 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E will each in turnstart and stop after the proper time delay has elapsed after the leadingedge and the trailing edge of the article in turn have passed thephotoelectric cell PEC so that the glue nozzle at each station willcontinuously spray while the article is intercepting the spray streambut will not spray between the articles. The proper time delay isassured because the corresponding paired starting and stopping cams 1318and 131 B, cams 131C and 131C, cams 131D and 131D, and cams 131E and131E have the same arcuate time delay distance between the startingpoints and the switch actuating notch.

The second control means for controlling the spraying of the evennumbered articles 2 (second, fourth, etc.) has structure substantiallyidentical with and operating in substantially the same manner as thatdescribed immediately heretofore for the first control means but withthe 200 series of reference numerals being given, whenever possible, thecorresponding elements of the second control means nozzle controlcircuits and actuating cams while the 1% reference numeral series wasgenerally used for the first control means nozzle control circuits andactuating cams. The unprirned reference numerals generally appear in thestarting circuits with their individual nozzle control circuits whilethe primed reference numerals generally appear in the stopping circuitswith their individual nozzle control circuits. Further description doesnot appear to be necessary since the corresponding numbering of theparts makes the following of the remaining circuits readilyunderstandable to anyone skilled in the art.

General operation Hence, it can readily be seen that the presentapparatus includes two control means for automatically controlling thespray of the successive article 2 passing through the glue spray unit 3with the first control means including clutches 36 and 36 forcontrolling the spraying of the alternate or odd-numbered (first, third,fifth, etc.) articles passing from left to right in Fig. 1, while thesecond control means includes clutches 37 and 37 and controls thespraying of the even-numbered (second, fourth, etc.) articles.

As the first article 2 is carried toward the right in Fig. l by theconveyor belt 1, its leading edge intercepts the light beam directed atthe photoelectric cell PEC in the common master control circuit at theleft in Fig. 7a which in turn energizes the electromagnetic startingclutch 36 of the first control means in Figs. 2 and 7a in the properstarting circuit (lowest of the four similar circuits at 11 the right inFig. 7a) for starting the rotation of shaft 38 in Figs. 2, 7a and 7bwith the cams 111, 132A, 1328, etc. thereon, as shown in Figs. 3A to 3X,for synchronously driving them with the conveyor belt 1 carrying thefirst article 2. These cams provide proper time delay in the nozzlecontrol circuits in Fig. 7b so that each of the nozzles A, 58, etc.starts spraying when the leading edge of the first article is inposition to intercept its spray stream. It should be noted that theactuating notches 132A, 1328, etc. in the cams 131A, 131B in Figs. 3A to3B are out of phase with each other to provide the proper time delay forstarting the spray of the nozzle at each station at the proper instantsince each nozzle is a difi'crent distance to the right of photoelectriccell PEC in Fig. 1. As the trailing edge of the first article 2 gocs'bythe photoelectric cell PEC, the light beam again hits the photoelectriccell PEC of the common master control circuit at the left in Fig. 7a toenergize the stopping electromagnetic clutch 36 in the stopping circuit(uppermost circuit at the right in Fig. 7a) of the first control means.This clutch 36 then drives the shaft 38' in Figs. 2, 7a and 7b withcorresponding cams 131A, 1318', etc. for actuating the nozzle controlcircuits in Fig. 7b with a proper time delay so that each nozzle SA,533, etc. in turn stops spraying when the trailing edge of the firstarticle 2 intercepts its spray stream.

The second control means operates in a similar manner to energize thestarting clutch 37 and the stopping clutch 37 in Figs. 2 and 7a. Thesecond control means is necessary since the spraying of the firstarticle 2 is not completed before the leading edge of the immediatelyfollowing second article 2 intercepts the light path of thephotoelectric cell PEC. The first and second control means operateindependently of each other, and also clutches 36, 36, 37 and 37'operate independently of each other so that each spray nozzle sprays thefull length of each article passing by.

In other words, the control includes four different kinds of time delaymeans for starting or stopping the spraying of each nozzle at the properinstant. Each time delay means includes the common master controlcircuit at the left in Fig. 7a with the photoelectric cell PEC; astarting or a stopping circuit at the right in Fig. 7a with clutch 36,36, 37 or 37'; and the nozzle control circuits in Fig. 7b actuated bythe cams on the shaft driven by the last mentioned clutch in theparticular starting or stopping circuit.

The spray nozzles 5A, 5B, 5C,. 5D and 5E can be individually manuallycontrolled as well as automatically controlled as described heretofore.In manual control, a switch 250 in Fig. 712 receives its power frompower line L1, closed switch 43, line 48, closed switch 121, line 122,closed relay contact RSde, line 123 to the switch 250. The switch 259 ismade up of five individually and independently operable switch elements.When its switch element on the right in Fig. 7b is closed, nozzle 5A iscaused to spray by opening contact 141a to remove it from automaticcontrol and by closing switch contact 251A in Fig. 7b to secure manualcontrol for energizing the nozzle solenoid coil 12A through the groundreturn circuit to power line L2. The switch contact 251A can be closedmanually when spraying is desired at the first station with nozzle 5A,and a similar manual closing of the corresponding switch element andcontact will cause manual instead of automatic spraying by any of theother nozzles 53, 5C, 5D, or 5E.

Although only two control means for controlling the spraying of thearticles is disclosed (first control means for spraying the odd numberedarticles and including clutch 36 and 36 and the second control forspraying even numbered articles and including clutches 37 and 37'), itshould be readily apparent that a difierent number of control means maybe required under some conditions and the electrical circuit thereforwould be basically the same as the circuit disclosed in the presentapplication and would be well within the skill of anyone versed in theart to construct in view of the teaching of the-present application. Forexample, if the articles 2 were spaced a sufiicient distance apart, onlyone control means might be necessary. If the articles 2 were of Ishorter length so that the first one was still being sprayed by some ofthe nozzle stations when the leading edge of the third one was beingdetected by the photoelectric cell, three different control means wouldbe desirable. With the three control means, each control means wouldcontrol the spraying of every third article instead of every otherarticle as in the present disclosure. Any

. other number of control means could be used if necessary.

passing along said path on the approach side of the processing stationand operatively effective for activating said processing station whenthe beginning of said predetermined portion on said last mentionedarticle registers with said station, and a second means initiallyresponsive to the end of said predetermined portion of said articlepassing along said path on the approach side of said processing stationand operatively effective for deactivating said processing station whenthe end of said predetermined portion of said last mentioned articleregisters .with said station.

2. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along a predeterminedpath, a plurality of processing stations arranged along the path oftravel, a first means initially responsive to the beginning of apredetermined portion of an article passing along said path on theapproach side of all the processing stations and operatively effectivefor initially activating in turn each processing station when thebeginning of said predetermined portion on said last mentioned articleregisters with each station in turn, and a second means initiallyresponsive to the end of said predetermined portion of said lastmentioned article passing along said path on the approach side of allsaid processing stations and operatively eifective for deactivating inturn each processing station when the end of said predetermined portionof said last mentioned article registers with each station in turn.

3. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along a predeterminedpath, means for moving articles in succession along said path, aplurality of processing stations arranged along the path of travel, afirst control means for controlling the processing of a first articleand a second control means for controlling the processing of a secondarticle following said first article, each control means comprising afirst time delay means responsive on the approach side of the processingstations to the leading edge of an article passing along said path andsubsequently operatively etfective after a time delay for activating inturn each processing station when the leacing edge of said lastmentioned article registers with each station in turn, each controlmeans comprising a second time delay means responsive on the approachside of the processing stations to the trailing edge of said lastmentioned article passing along said path and subsequently operativelyeffective after a time delay for deactivating in turn each processingstation when the trailing edge of said last mentioned article registerswith each station in turn, each of said two first time delay means andsaid two second time delay means being operable independently of eachother so that each article will be processed under'the control of itscontrol means independently of the other control means.

4. In an apparatus flocking machine for processing by flocking articlespassing along a predetermined path, means for moving articles insuccession along said path, aplurality of processing stations arrangedalong the path of travel, a first control means for controlling theprocessing of a first article and a second control means for controllingthe processing of a second article following said first article, eachcontrol comprising a first time delay means operatively connected tosaid article moving means and responsive on the approach side of theprocessing stations to the beginning of a predetermined portion of anarticle passing along said path and subsequently operatively effectivefor activating in turn each processing stationwhen the beginning of saidpredetermined portion .on said last mentioned article registers witheach station in turn, each control means comprising a second time delaymeans operatively connected to said article moving means and responsiveon the approach side of the processingstations to the end of saidpredetermined portion 7 of said last mentioned article passing alongsaid path and subsequently operatively effective for deactivating inturn each processing station when the end of said predetermined portionof said last mentioned article registers with each station in turn, andsustaining means for causing continued operation of any of said timedelay means when another of said time delay means is activated so thateach article will be processed under the control of its control meansindependently of the other control means.

5. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along a predeterminedpath, means for moving articles in success ion along .said path, aplurality of processing stations with each having a spray nozzlearranged along the path of travel, a first control means for controllingthe spray 7 comprising a second time delay means operatively connectedto said article moving means and initially responsive to the end of saidpredetermined portion of said last mentioned article passing along saidpath and operatively effective for causing each nozzle in turn to stopspraying when the end of said predetermined portion of said lastmentioned article registers with each nozzle flow stream in turn, andsustaining means for causing continued operation of any of said timedelay means when another of said time delay means is activated so thateach article will be processed or sprayed under the control of itscontrol means independently of the other control means.

6. .In a machine for applying glue prior to flocking on articles passingalong a predetermined path, means for moving articles in successionalong said path, a plurality of processing stations with each having aglue spray nozzle arranged along the path of travel, a first controlmeans for controlling the glue spraying of a first article and a secondcontrol means for controlling the glue spraying of a second articlefollowing said first article, each control means comprising a first timedelay means operatively connected to said article moving means andresponsive on the approach side of the glue spray nozzles to the leadingedge of an article passing along said path and subsequently operativelyeffective for causing each nozzle in turn to spray glue when the leadingedge on said last mentioned article registers with each nozzle glue flowstream in turn, each control means comprising a second time delay meansoperatively connected to said article moving means and responsive on theapproach side of the glue spray nozzles to the trailing edge of saidlast mentioned article passing alongsaid path and subsequentlyoperatively effective for causing each nozzle in turn to stop sprayingglue when the trailing edge of said last mentioned article registerswith each flow stream in turn, and sustaining means for causingcontinued operation of any of said time delay means when another of saidtime delay means is activated so that each article will .be processed orsprayed under the control of its control means independently of theother control means. 7

7. In a machine for applying glue prior to flock on articles passingalong a predetermined path, a plurality of spraying stations arrangedalong the path of travel, a support unit at least partially encirclingsaid path .of travel, said support unit comprising a grid bridgingacross said path of travel with said grid forming one support bar ateach station with said support bars spaced along the line of travel andall located on the same side of said path, said grid and support barsextending generally parallel to said path, and a spray glue nozzle fixedto each support bar and directed within the support unit toward saidpath of travel with said nozzles spaced apart along the path of travel,each spray nozzle being directed approximately laterally toward saidpath of travel but at an angle different from the other nozzle forcovering said article with spray, all of said nozzles being located onthe same side of said path.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein all of said support bars arelocated equidistant from said path, and wherein said support unitincludes two one-piece members with each secured to respective ends ofsaid bars to form said grid.

9. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along a predeterminedpath, means for moving articles in succession along said path, aprocessing station arranged along the path of travel, a first controlmeans and a second control means for controlling the processingrespectively of first and second articles, each control means includinga means responsive independently of the-spacing between said articlesand independently of any even multiple of said spacing and responsive aspaced distance ahead of said processing station to the beginning ofapredetermined portion of Its article passing along said'path andoperatively eifective for initially activating said processing stationwhen its article has traversed said distance and is in registration forprocessing therewith.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein each of said control meansincludes a timing member normally starality of supports with one supportat each station, a

spray glue nozzle on each support directed toward said path of travelwith said nozzles spaced apart along the path oftravel, each nozzlehaving a spray. orificefor directing a sprayto intercept the path ofarticle movement-and having-valve means for controlling the flowthrough'said orifice, each nozzle also having piercing means forpiercing any glue seal formed in the orifice whenthe fiowis cut olT, afirst means initially responsive to the beginning ofa predetermlnedportion of an article passing alongsaid path andoperatively effective onsaid valve means for each nozzle for causing each glue nozzle in turn tospray and operatively effective to withdraw the associated pierclngmeans'from each spray orifice in turn when the beginnmgofsaid-predetermined portion on said last mentioned article registers witheach nozzle flow stream ',in turn, and

a second means initially responsive to the end of said predeterminedportion of said lastmentioned article passing alongsaid path andoperatively etfectiveon said .valve means for each nozzle for causingeach gluenozzlein turn -to stop spraying and operatively effective toextend the 15 associated piercing means into each spray orifice in turnwhen the end of said predetermined portion of said last mentionedarticle registers with each nozzle flow stream in turn.

12. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along apredetermined path, means for moving articles in succession along saidpath, a plurality of processing stations arranged along the path oftravel, a first control means for controlling the processing of a firstarticle and a second control means for controlling the processing of asecond article following said first article, each control meanscomprising a first time delay means responsive on the approach side ofthe processing stations to the leading edge of an article passing alongsaid path and subsequently operatively eliective for activating in turneach processing station when the leading edge of said last mentionedarticle registers with each station in turn, each control meanscomprising a second time delay means responsive on the approach side ofthe processing stations to the trailing edge of said last mentionedarticle passing along said path and subsequently operatively effectivefor deactivating in turn each processing station when the trailing edgeof said last mentioned article registers with each station in turn, eachof said two first time delay means and said two second time delay meansbeing operable independently of each other so that each article will beprocessed under the control of its control means independently of theother control means, the sequence in the operation cycle being actuationof said first time delay means and then said second time delay means ofsaid first control means and then actuation of said first time delaymeans and then said second time delay means of said second controlmeans, and means for automatically reestablishing said sequence ofoperation if the operation of any of said time delay means gets out ofphase.

l3. In a machine for applying glue prior to flock on articles passingalong a predetermined path, means for 1 moving articles in successionalong said path, a plurality of spraying stations arranged along thepath of travel, a support unit at least partially encircling said pathof travel, said support unit comprising a grid bridging across said pathof travel with one support bar at each station, a spray glue nozzlefixed to each support bar and directed with the support unitapproximately laterally toward said path of travel but at an angledifferent from the other nozzle for covering said article with spray,said nozzles spaced apart along the path of travel, each nozzle having aspray orifice for directing a spray to intercept the path of articlemovement and having valve means for cutting oil or permitting the flowthrough said orifice, each nozzle also having piercing means forpiercing any glue seal formed in the orifice when the flow is cut oil, afirst control means for controlling the spraying of a first article anda second control means for controlling the spraying of a second articlefollowing said first article, each control means comprising a first timedelay means responsive on the approach side of the nozzles to theleading edge of an article passing along said path and subsequentlyoperatively efiective on said valve means for each nozzle for causingeach nozzle in turn to spray and operatively effective to withdraw theassociated piercing means from each spray orifice in turn when theleading edge on said last mentioned article registers with each nozzleflow stream in turn, each control means comprising a second time delaymeans responsive on the approach side of the nozzles to the trailingedge of said last mentioned article passing along said path andsubsequently operatively effective on said valve means for each nozzlefor causing each nozzle in turn to stop spraying and operativelyeffective to extend the associated piercing means into each sprayorifice in turn when the trailing edge of said last mentioned articleregisters with each nozzle flow stream in turn, sustaining means forcausing continued operation of any of said time delay means when anotherof said time delay means is activated so that each article will beprocessed or sprayed under the control of its control meansindependently of the other control means, the sequence in the operationcycle being actuation of said first time delay means and then saidsecond time delay means of said first control means and then actuationof said first time delay means and then said second time delay means ofsaid second control means, and means for automatically re-establishingsaid sequence of operation if the operation of any of said time delaymeans gets out of phase.

14. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along apredetermined path, a processing station arranged along the path'oftravel, a first control means responsive a spaced distance ahead of saidprocessing station to a predetermined portion of an article and a secondcontrol means responsive a predetermined distance ahead of saidprocessing station to a predetermined portion of an article diiferentfrom said first mentioned portion for controlling the processing of saidarticles, each of said control means including a timing member andincluding a means responsive to one of said predetermined portions forsetting one timing member in motion independently of the othertimingmember. 7

15. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along apredetermined path, a processing station arranged along the path oftravel, a first control means responsive a spaced distance ahead of saidprocessing station to a predetermined portion of an article and a secondcontrol means responsive a predetermined distance ahead of saidprocessing station to a predetermined portion of an article diiferentfrom said first mentioned portion for controlling the processing of saidarticles, said first and second control means including a separate timerfor each of said control means and including means responsive to one ofsaid aforementioned portions for changing the relative timingrelationship between said timers.

16. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along apredetermined path, a plurality of processing stations arranged alongthe path of travel a spaced distance apart, and a means initiallyresponsive a spaced distance ahead of the first encountered processingstation to the beginning of a predetermined portion of an articlepassing along said path and operatively efiective for initiallyactivating in a predetermined sequence the processing stations forcausing each to process the last mentioned article at an appropriatetime after said article has traversed said distance, said meansincluding a normally stationary timing member and means responsive tosaid article for setting said timing member in motion, whereby theapparatus may be used for processing articles of any length or spacingwithout requiring readjustment.

17. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along apredetermined path, a processing station arranged along the path oftravel and operable between processing and non-processing positions, anda means initially responsive to spaced distance ahead of said processingstation to a predetermined portion of an article passing along said pathand operative for changing said processing station from one to the otherof said positions when said last mentioned article is at said processingstation for processing thereat, said means including a timing membernormally stationary during article travel and means for synchronouslydriving said timing member with the travel of said article after articleresponse, whereby the apparatus may 'be used for processing articles ofany length or spacing without requiring readjustment.

18. In an apparatus for processing articles passing along apredetermined path, a plurality of processing stations arranged alongthe path of travel, and means initially responsive to the beginning of apredetermined portion of an article passing along said path andoperatively effective for activating in turn each processing stationwhen the beginning of said predetermined portion on said last mentionedarticle registers with each station in turn, said means including anormally stationary timing member and means for synchronously drivingsaid timing member with the travel of said article after articleresponse, whereby the apparatus may be used for processing articles ofany length or spacing without requiring readjustment.

19. In a machine for apply glue prior to flock on articles passing alonga predetermined path, a plurality of spraying stations arranged alongthe path of travel, a plurality of supports with one support at eachstation, a spray glue nozzle on each support, said nozzles spaced apartalong the path of travel and being directed approximately laterallytoward said path of travel but at an angle differ-, ent from the othernozzle for covering said article With spray, each nozzle having a sprayorifice for directing a spray to intercept the path of article movementand having valve means for controlling the flow through said orifice,and a means initially responsive to only the beginning of apredetermined portion of an article passing along said path beforereaching the first spraying station and operatively efiFective on saidvalve means for causing each nozzle in turn to spray in a predeterminedsequence at the appropriate time for applying glue to said lastmentioned article, said means including a normally sta- 18 tionarytiming member and means for synchronously driving said timing memberwith the travel of said article after article response, whereby theapparatus may be used for processing articles of any length or spacingWithout requiring readjustment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,662,042 Birkenmaier Mar. 6, 1928 1,906,975 Larson May 2, 19331,978,589 McFarlane Oct. 30, 1934 2,072,948 Geffs Mar. 9, 1937 2,103,134Akahira Dec. 21, 1937 2,376,980 Petersen et al May 29, 1945 2,383,023Sykes et al. Aug. 21, 1945 2,547,884 Paasche Apr. 3, 1951 2,555,874Coughlin June 5, 1951 2,570,288 Todd, Oct. 9, 1951 2,585,330 Kayser Feb.12, 1952 2,675,778 Peeps Apr. 20, 1954

